The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-05-25
The Rejected Manuscript.
NEW YORK. N. Y. Nov. 7. 1888


acceptance of somewhat similar material or
. superabundance of matter on hand, or un-
fitness on account Of the editors present plans,
that the return Of your manuscript does not
imply that it was thought deficient from a
literary point of view.
With thanks for your courtesy, we are,
very truly yours, Editor II -Magazine
Blanche Raymond read the letter
through several times, and then with a
little sigh took up the poor, rejected
manuscript. "Not available" she MUIR
INJURED, glancing over the carefully writ
ten pages. Not deficient from literary
point of view" "Well. they are at least
courteous; I shouldn't wonder, though,
Il they meant that last remark as balm for
my injured feelings. l am told that edi-
tors are so deceittul."
With these thoughts Of editorial perfidy
ranking in her bosom, Blanche relapsed
into silence.
She compressed her lips until the dimplc
In her chin was scarcely visible, and q
perceptible frown darkened her usually
serene brow.
1t was evident that something import
ant was being evolved from her busy
brain, for the frown deepened till the
gray eyes looked almost black beneath
the long lashes.
Suddenly she arose from the low rock
or in which she had been sitting, saying,
with merry twinkle in her eyes which
efectually dispelled the frown: ''Tl do
I'll 1t will be great lark, and I will at
least get another opinion of my poor
papers literary merit or availability"
"a great lsrk'-strangely improper
language for an aspiring author. -.
''Where are you going, dear" asked
Mrs. Raymond, as B.anche, after a care
fully prepared toilet, descended to the
sit:ing-room, where her mother sat sew
ing.
well, mamma, you know told you
that the Il Magazine had returned
my manuscript. I happen to think of
the D. Magazine, of our own city
here, which has not been long estab-
1ished, but is fast gaining popularity.
The dazzling idea has occurred to me to
take my story there, instead of sending
It out alone. Perhaps can make an i'm
preston if my story can't" laughed the
the little miss, casting sly glance at the
bright, sweet face reflected in the mirror
opposite.
"But, my dear, is that the proper
thing to dol I don't like to have you
60 alone to one of these places" said the
old lady, evidently regarding zone of
these places" as something uncanny.
why, mamma, there is no harm in it
at all. 1t is purely matter of business.
The editor is probably baldheaded,
spectaclcd ogre, who will wilt me with
one CLASSY stare. But I'm going to get
him to accept my story before I wilt,
oven if I collapse Immediately after
wards" said this very determined young
lady, who had not learned that saddest
word in youths bright lexicon, "fail."
"Well, hurry back, for shall be very
anxious till your return"
With kiss and smiling good-by,
Blanche tripped from the room with a
heart not quite as light as when sho first
thought of her venture, but she would
not own it, even to herself.
Our heroine was little more than q
child, although the suns of nineteen sum-
mers had darkened the once faxen curls.
The youngest child and only girl of a
family of five children, she was of course
greatly petted and caressed, A girl of a
less sweet, even disposition, mi ght have
shown the effect of such training in i'm
perious manners and pettish exactions,
but Blanche, without special effort, had
escaped these evils. Living her happy
life, surrounded by home love and com
forts, she had not given herself up en-
tirely to pleasure, but had labored dill
gently to improve a naturally bright
mind, trying to make the jewel worthy
of its fair setting.
The cable-car sped along the frosty
track, bearing Blanche nearer and nearer
her destination. Her ardor was cooling
rapidly. With all her bravery she began
to feel that facing the lion in his den was
not such very pleasant matter. How
ever, she was not the girl to give up a
venture when once fairly begun, so she
tried not to feel nervous, but to compose
her thoughts into neat little speech for
the editication of the "spectacled OGRE"
Finally she stood before the dread por-
tai, and the shaky knock she gave told as
plainly as any words the corresponding
condition of her thoughts.
"Come in !" called musical voice, but
she didn't "come" With the admirable
caution of her sex, she resolved that the
'lion" should meet her at least half way.
She knocked second time, a little louder
than before. After brief pause-an
awful pause to Blanche, the door was
thrown wide open by a-baldheaded,
spectacled ogre9 No, indeed by tall,
slender man of perhaps twenty-seven
years, with brown, curling hair and mus
tache, and mirthful brown eyes.
"Oh! ah! will you come in2' said the
young man, with little embarrassment
in his voice.
Blanche entered and took the politely
protfered chair without a word. The
''neat little speech" was forgotten-in
fact she seemed to have lost all speech in
her complete surprise,
''Did you wish to see mc2" came the
pleasant tones of the young man, after a
moment of dreadful silence.
'Yes-that is, wished to see the
editor of the D. Magaziue," faltered
Blanche.
II have that humble honor" he re-
piled.
Blanche cast one swift glance at him,
and then slowly drew from her muff the
precious manuscript. An amused smile
played about the editors handsome
y